TWO of Basingstoke's top sporting stars have made decisions this week which will affect their respective teams for the coming season.

Goalkeeper Scott Tarr has signed a new deal which will keep him at Basingstoke Town for the next two seasons, but top Basingstoke Bison defenceman Neil Liddiard has decided to leave the Herd and join local rivals Guildford Flames.

Town shot-stopper Tarr is currently the longest-serving player at the club, and his wealth of experience makes him an important member of the team.

Rumours had been rife since the last game of the season that Tarr would not be in a Town shirt again, but they have been dispelled after the 'keeper signed a new contract.

Pete Peters, Town's assistant manager, said: "He is a big asset for the club and is an important part of a strong spine to the team."

He added: "We have a good side here and will be looking to build on that."

Along with Tarr, hot-shot Craig McAllister and defenders Neville Stamp, Ricky Allaway and Jason Bristow should all be returning as they are already under contract. Club bosses are still in talks with out-of-contract striker Neville Roach.

Midfielder Kevin Gibbens is still deciding whether or not to retire. He is a registered player so if he moved anywhere it would be for a fee.

Meanwhile, the departure of Basingstoke Bison Liddiard, who has spent the last three years with the club, has left coach Steve Moria bitterly disappointed.

The Bison boss had talked to Liddiard - voted the best British defenceman of last season - and believed he would be wearing a Bison shirt again this autumn.

However, the Flames nipped in to grab another British player to add to their squad. They now look set to walk away with next season's Findus British National League title - the league below the top flight Elite League that will feature the Bison.

Moria said: "Neil was one of my priorities to sign and in all honesty I thought he was coming back. But we cannot compete with the likes of Guildford."

The Bison boss is working to a fixed budget due to the Elite League being run on a wage cap limit, and is talking to number of players about signing for the Herd ahead of the coming season.

On a national scale, rumours of the top two ice hockey leagues merging for the coming season were ruled out at a meeting on Tuesday, butit has not been discounted for 2004/05, with talks to continue during the coming season.